[imagesource:flickr]

It seems like we’ve just come out the other side of the worst battering in a long time, and indeed, Cape Town has had the most July rainfall on record thanks to those consecutive cold fronts that poured in.

The SA Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed this, with an analysis of rainfall data from weather service stations revealing that the Cape Town City (Oranjezicht) station far exceeded the long-term average of 128 millimetres of rainfall for the month.

Bloomberg notes that the station near the city centre recorded 317.6mm of rain in the month, two-and-a-half times the July average. Meanwhile, the city’s Kirstenbosch Gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain received more than 500mm, while 619.2mm fell on the nearby town of Franschhoek.

This total exceeded the historical average and was the highest monthly rainfall recorded for July since comprehensive records began in 1960, the SowetanLive reports.

SAWS further said, “In contrast, the previous year saw only 81.8mm of rain in July, highlighting the major difference in rainfall between these two years.”

“Beginning in June 2024, rainfall accumulation was notably below normal, consistent with seasonal forecasts that predicted a drier winter period,” the weather service said in a statement on Monday. “However, the landscape changed drastically in July, as a series of cold fronts swept through the region, some of which brought severe weather conditions and substantial rainfall.”

Additionally, the Cape Town International Airport station recorded the highest monthly rainfall total since the station’s inception in July 1956, exceeding three times the average for July.

MEDIA RELEASE: Cape Town’s record-breaking July 2024 rainfall pic.twitter.com/Na7xnKKf7Z

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) August 12, 2024

SAWS said a further examination of rainfall stations managed by the Cape Town weather office indicated that most recorded well above average rainfall during July, with some stations breaking long-standing records.

“For example, the station in Newlands at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens received over 500mm of rain for July, making it the wettest month on record for this station since 1999. The stations in Franschhoek, Kenilworth and Villiersdorp, with records dating back to the late 2000s, also reported significant rainfall for the month. These three stations set new records since their inception, even surpassing the total monthly rainfall recorded during the September storm of 2023. Additionally, the Cape Winelands stations, including Paarl, Worcester and Jonkershoek, have experienced substantial rainfall this winter season, with long-term monthly records being broken in these areas last month,” it said.

SAWS notes that this remarkable record underscores the intensity and impact of the multiple cold fronts experienced throughout the month.

Thousands of people from Cape Town’s informal settlements were forced out of their homes by last month’s storms. This was just the latest in a string of hectic weather events that have rocked Mzansi, with boffins suggesting these might be due to climate change.

“The fluctuations in weather patterns do not only keep us on our toes but also highlight the importance of preparedness and resilience. Widespread damage was reported from the start of July well into the month, including strong winds that blew off roofing and minor disruptive hail reported on July 7 in Stellenbosch’s Helshoogte Pass. As usual, thick blankets of snow covered the mountainous areas of the Western Cape, bringing shivering temperatures during this period.”

And it’s not just the Western Cape.

Earlier this year, storms moered the roads and caused traffic mayhem on the way to the port in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, while back in 2022, the floods in Durbs claimed at least 435 lives.

Mzansi’s government is busy setting up a climate response fund to sort out beefing up infrastructure against intense weather and fixing up broken bridges and roads. It is also not taking all this rain lightly, planning and prepping to avoid another potential water shortage crisis down the line.

[sources:bloomberg&sowetanlive]